10 Brutal Career Truths I know at 33 (That I wish I knew at 23).
To learn these truths, It took me 10 years of:
- Pivoting 9 times
- Getting fired twice
- Landing dream jobs & 5X my salary
1. Good work isn’t good enough
- Good work alone will not accelerate your career.
- You need to advocate for yourself and share your wins.
- Optics matter more than you think.
2. Careers are anything but linear
- Careers are rarely a ladder and look more like a jungle gym.
- Embrace the journey and pivots; the destination will follow.
3. There is no such thing as a perfect job
- The grass isn’t always greener.
- Dream jobs, on paper, will have their faults (politics, toxic culture, poor leadership)
- Reset your expectations. It’s okay for a job to be a job.
4. Your boss can make or break your career
- Your boss has a greater impact on your career than you think.
- Foster a healthy relationship early and often.
- If you’re not getting support, consider leaving. You cannot change a person.
5. A paycheck isn’t worth your mental health.
- No person, job, or money is ever worth your sanity.
- You will find a better job if you allow yourself to.
6. Emotional intelligence is highly underrated
- There’s nothing soft about soft skills. EQ makes you a better leader.
- Make an effort to connect with people personally, support their work, and show up when they need you.
- Good deeds matter (you never know when you need their help).
7. Promotions and raises are out of your control
- You can be an A+ employee and still not get raises and promotions.
- These decisions happen above you, so don’t let them define you.
- Instead, focus on what you can control (ex. sharing wins publicly, asking for a raise, and doing work that matters)
8. Have performance conversations often and early
- Don’t wait until the last minute to have performance conversations.
- It’s your job to make sure you get clarity around expectations.
- Schedule monthly career syncs with your boss and establish a growth plan
9. Who you know matters more than what you know
- Your network can change your life. Talent isn’t everything.
- Build authentic relationships with influential people (your boss, their boss, leadership, cross-functional partners, clients, etc).
Career and business always revolve around PEOPLE.
10. It’s better to look for a job while you still have one
- You should always be looking for your next play.
- You will never grow by being complacent. Always be open to new opportunities.
- Have regular coffee chats, update your resume quarterly, and interview with companies to gauge your worth and sharpen your skills.
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